Hollywood actors Alan Cumming and Kyle McLachlan have been enlisted to promote Scottish culture at a festival in New York.

The stars will take part in a three-day spectacle of contemporary Scottish culture called Distilled - Live Scotland.

April's event will coincide with the annual Tartan Day celebrations on 6 April.

Alan Cumming will be among the celebrity backers

Mike Watson, the Scottish Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, announced details of the event on Tuesday.

Mr Watson said a series of receptions, shows and seminars hosted by a number of personalities would take place between 4 and 6 April.

Scots-born Alan Cumming, whose movie credits include Circle of Friends, Goldeneye and Spy Kids, will be among those taking part.

Organisers said he would be joined by Twin Peaks and Sex in the City star Kyle McLachlan, who is of Scottish descent.

The minister said the event would bring together Scotland's most exciting talent, including stars who have appeared at the Edinburgh Festival, the Glasgow International Jazz Festival and Celtic Connections.

He said: "Distilled expresses the very best of contemporary Scotland's thriving arts and cultural scene and there can be no doubt that it comes at an important time for our cultural and tourism interests."

Close relationship

"On the cultural front, while Scotland's excellent heritage is central to our branding, we also need to promote the excellence of our contemporary culture."

Liane Dorsey, the American Consul in Edinburgh, said the event would enhance the close relationship between the US and Scotland.

She said: "I'm convinced that the more we work together, the more effectively we can promote Scotland internationally."